Solstice sunrise at Casa Rinconada was glorious.
"Solstice" means "sun stand still." The sun rises at its most northern point on the horizon, virtually in the same spot for several days.
For that reason, we were allowed into the loop road for three consecutive mornings to view the sunrise at Casa Rinconada, giving those who cannot attend on solstice day the chance to also experience the solstice event.
Because the volunteers were there (really) early, we got to see the Acoma dancers preparing in the pre-dawn cold at the parking lot. The sight of those adorable children, dressed in their traditional dress, smiling, excited, and trying to stay warm, was absolutely precious.
The Acoma dancers (Cyrus Concho and the Acoma Sky City Group Dancers) greeted visitors with songs and drumming on solstice morning as they walked up to the magnificent great kiva in silence.
Even though I was still down at the road, helping to greet and park visitors, I could hear the drumming at the kiva, and felt at peace and happy.
Experiencing Summer Solstice
As G.B. Cornucopia reminds us, for most, summer solstice is simply another date on a calendar. For the ancient peoples, it was much more, signaling the start of the sun's journey back to the south, and helping to guide their activities. They knew every movement of the sun, for it was linked to their survival.
For those of us who stood at the edge of the kiva (see photos above), watching the sun's light appear over the northeastern horizon, then slowly making its way across the kiva's western wall, and into a special niche, solstice is an event we have experienced (see photos below).
We watched in awed silence. We felt its sacredness. We felt a kinship with the ancient Chacoans.
Related posts:
Chaco Canyon Solstice 2008: Sunrise at Casa Rinconada, Part 2
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